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Closures force rural customers from country to town

Agribusiness Elders is closing three of its Tasmanian branches, forcing rural customers to travel to the major cities.

The Smithton and Deloraine rural services branches will close at the end of the month, as well as a real estate office in Ulverstone.

Up to 11 jobs will be cut.

The closures are part of a national move by the company as it returns to being a pure agribusiness and offloads forestry and car divisions.

Elders spokesman David Goodfellow says Smithton customers will need to travel to the Devonport branch, about two hours away.

"The bottom line for us is to make sure we're in a position where we continue to be profitable so we can continue to provide those services to farmers," he said.

"In the case of some of the branches we've addressed this week, again right across Australia, it's really been us identifying those areas where we've not been able to cover our costs."

Mr Goodfellow says staff from the closing branches are being encouraged to apply for other positions with the company around the country.

"Not everyone is going to be successful in attaining a new position within Elders, but what we're giving people is the opportunity to participate in that process so that at least we're doing our best to look after our staff."